Production and separation of ^99mTc using electron beam

With the availability of high energy electron beams and linear accelerators, table top production and separation of large number of radioisotopes is feasible at user's desk. Production of ^99mTc using nuclear reaction ¹⁰⁰Mo(γ n)⁹⁹Mo is developed and evaluated. Reaction cross sections were calculated for photons of energy upto 45 MeV. Reaction cross section is high for 14-20 MeV photons. ⁹⁹Mo was produced using 15 MeV electrons and separation of ^99mTc which grows every day of a week cycle as a result of decay of ⁹⁹Mo was worked out. A block diagram of the process involving irradiation and subsequent separation of ^99mTc is given. Decay of ⁹⁹Mo and subsequent growth of ^99mTc is monitored using γ ray spectrometer. ^99mTc is separated from MoO₃ target by passing hot Oxygen gas over pellet during irradiation. ^99mTc is distilled as ^99mTc₂O₇ and trapped in dil.NaOH solution. Stability of pellet for high current irradiation was tested using TGA/DTA and optical microscope. Thus, the transportation losses, dose due large reactor production and handling of radioactivity radioisotope are prevented. (author)